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Graduate’s bright idea boosts buses

First published
in News
by Callum Keown, Reporter covering West Oxford and Botley. Call me on (01865) 425425

AN OXFORD Brookes graduate is the mastermind behind new F1 technology revolutionising the university’s bus service.

Glen Pascoe, 30, a 2006 graduate, was tasked by Williams Hydro Power (now GKN) with fitting the Gyrodrive technology into the buses he used as a student.

The engineer first used the BrookesBus service with his fiancee before developing the technology behind the service’s new fuel efficient upgrade.

Mr Pascoe, who lives in Witney, said: “I met my wife Ellie at Oxford Brookes and often travelled on the bus with her from Headington to Wheatley where she lived.

“It’s a real honour to see my technology in action in the city I studied at and on the buses I used to travel on.”

The idea was developed at Williams in Grove for Formula 1 racing cars.

It has been trialled in London, but the new Brookes buses will be the first to implement the technology on a regular service, set to start on Saturday, September 13.

The Gyrodrive system uses a flywheel to store energy generated by the bus as it slows down to a stop.

The energy is then used to power an electric motor that accelerates the bus back up to speed, reducing emissions by 20 per cent.

Oxford Bus Company has invested £3.7m in the new technology with a fleet of 14 buses providing a regular service between Brookes’ North Hinksey, Headington and Wheatley campuses. Mr Pascoe said: “I would like to think it would inspire the students travelling on these buses to see one of their alumni has made an impact on their travel, on their lives and on their city and inspire them to realise their potential.”

Brookes’ Pro Vice-Chancellor June Girvin said: “So many of our students go on to make a real difference locally, nationally and internationally, and Glen is a shining example of this.

“We know that the Brookesbus is a valuable service for our local community, and the technology that Glen has developed will help to make Oxford greener for everyone.”

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